Math 20F, WINTER 2009

Instructor: J. William Helton

Text:
David C. Lay, Linear Algebra and its Applications, 3rd edition, Pearson, 2006.
Tentatively, we will cover the following sections:
1.1-1.5, 1.7-1.9, 2.1-2.3, 2.5, 3.1-3.3, 4.1-4.7, 5.1-5.3, 6.1-6.5, 7.1.
Also there will be 5 MATLAB assignments.

Grading:
The HW will count 20% of the course grade. This grade will be determined from what students turn in and a HW quiz or two.
The Computational part of the course is worth 10% partitioned as follows: each assignment is 1% and there will be an exam at the end worth 5%.
There will be 1 midterm exam worth 25% of the total course grade.
The final exam will cover all sections and will be worth 45% of the course grade. You must pass the final, in order to pass the course.

Homework:
Homework will be collected at the beginning of section on Tuesdays.

Computer Labs: Matlab
The computer part of the course introduces you to scientific computation using linear algebra. This is done in special sections which meet on Thursdays (at the same time as your discussion section). These lasts 50 minutes and are located at at the CLICS Mezanine Windows PC Lab EXCEPT for 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM sections (only these two), the location is at AP&M B349A Windows PC Lab (in basement APM). The first meeting is in the second week of class and will meet on Thursday January 15 2009.

Matlab work is assigned at Matlab HW here. We will be more specific about what is to be assigned later; since we shall not do all of the exercises posted. We will do Lessons 1 and 2 for those who want to get started early. Note one can by Matlab for their own computer if you like (but this is not at all essential). Each assignment given on a Thursday is due in the following Tuesday discussion session.

"The Curve":
The grades will be assigned so that a certain percentage of the class gets A's and B's. For the remainder, the grade of C will be given only to those having at least a basic proficiency in the material. Those lacking this proficiency should repeat the course in order to get a good foundation for future science courses. Thus the grades of C, D, and F are given according to an "absolute standard'. There are often not many D's and a C must be earned.



http://www.math.ucsd.edu

Grade Distribution

HW Quiz I

High: 36   Low: 8     Mean: 26.3   STD Dev: 7.6

Grade Distribution
0-10: 4
11-20: 28
21-29: 49
30 or above: 62